Empie Park
Neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina
New Hanover County 28403
Single-story homes surrounded by trees
The dense residential streets of Empie Park vary: from two-lane roads with a country feel to boulevards with wide, grassy medians and sidewalks. Tall pine trees tower over the Craftsman bungalows, cozy cottages and low-lying ranch-style homes that make up most of the architectural offerings. Two-story builds are hard to come by. Homes usually are three-bedroom, typically built between the 1950s and 1960s, resting on modestly landscaped yards of about a third of an acre or less. Driveways, either paved or gravel, are common, and some ranch-style homes have attached carports. Prices here are well below the Wilmington area average of $549,000, ranging from $300,000 to $525,000. There are also a handful of condo communities with two-bedroom units in the $200,000s. Potential buyers should note that this neighborhood has a risk of flooding, though it's lower than communities closer to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River. Hurricanes are also possible.
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Train like Althea Gibson at Empie Park
The neighborhood’s namesake, Empie Park, draws visitors from across the city. It’s home to the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex, titled in honor of the tennis trailblazer who sharpened her skills as a teenager in Wilmington before becoming the first Black tennis player to win The French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the 1950s. The complex features 24 lighted courts for neighborly matches, team practices and year-round tennis clinics. “It’s a gem of the city. You’ll find people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds here,” Toro-Steinmetz says. “If you’re not playing tennis, you’re walking around the park.” She also notes that the playground and dog park are very popular. The Cross City Trail, a 15-mile multi-use path that connects points of interest across Wilmington, passes through the park’s east side. It runs north to Anne McCrary Park, which offers a more natural setting with a large lake and overlook. Residents can join the Nir Family YMCA to access an indoor pool and gym.
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School halls once walked by a tennis legend
Empie Park is zoned for New Hanover County Schools. Winter Park Elementary School is about a mile from the neighborhood and earns a B rating from Niche. Williston Middle, closer to downtown, receives a B-minus. The school was formerly Williston High School, which professional tennis trailblazer Althea Gibson attended in the 1940s. Today, middle school students can follow in her footsteps, as nearly all local middle school tennis teams practice at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex in Empie Park. John T. Hoggard High School has an A and is ranked the third-best public high school in Wilmington. Two popular private options are Cape Fear Academy and Coastal Christian High School, whose tennis teams also play in Empie Park.
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A repurposed streetcar line
Empie Park’s streetcar history makes it a walkable and bikeable neighborhood today. Once traversed by trolleys in the early 1900s, Park Avenue features a lighted paved path that courses through the center of the neighborhood, connecting to the Cross City Trail. Residents can see a preserved piece of the former streetcar line at the restored Audubon Trolley Station. The small concrete shelter topped with a green terra cotta tile roof is a last-of-its-kind landmark added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Driving is the primary way to get around the rest of Wilmington, with the major thoroughfares of Oleander Drive, College Road and Independence Boulevard close by. Downtown Wilmington is about 4 miles away, while Wilmington International Airport is about 6 miles away. Wrightsville Beach, a popular destination for Wilmington residents and seasonal visitors alike, is less than a 7-mile drive. Public transit is easy to use here, with four Wave Transit bus routes going through the neighborhood.Less than a mile from Independence Mall
Whether running errands or shopping for fun, Empie Park residents are only a few blocks from the bustling stores along Highway 17 (Oleander Drive). There’s a constant flow of shoppers at the Hanover Center, anchored by a Harris Teeter, Homesense and Hobby Lobby. Residents can refuel with a cappuccino or smoothie from Drift Café. The local coffee shop chain features a bright dining area with sea foam green accents and cozy wooden booths. Dozens of national retailers such as Belk, Dillard’s and American Eagle are across the street at Independence Mall, which sees its highest foot traffic on Fridays and Saturdays. After working up an appetite, residents have various fast-casual eateries to choose from, like First Watch, Panera Bread and Cava. Local restaurants, including Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse and La Brasa Mexican Taqueria and Restaurant, can be found on the other side of the neighborhood along the quieter Wrightsville Avenue. The street is dotted with longtime local businesses including The Coat of Arms Lounge, a casual spot for beer and pool, and Two Wheeler Dealer, the neighborhood’s full-service bike shop. “It’s been around for decades,” Toro-Steinmetz says.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Scott Davis
Video By
Chris Norton
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Butch Saunders
Butch Saunders
RE/MAX Essential
(910) 537-3271
175 Total Sales
2 in Empie Park
$276K - $645K Price Range
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The Cheek Team
The Cheek Team
The Cheek Team
(910) 294-5632
545 Total Sales
1 in Empie Park
$284,900 Price
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Ed Wagenseller
Ed Wagenseller
Keller Williams Innovate-Wilmington
(910) 356-9055
130 Total Sales
1 in Empie Park
$220,000 Price
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Donna Waller
Donna Waller
Corcoran HM Properties
(877) 851-5145
60 Total Sales
2 in Empie Park
$207K - $340K Price Range
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Greg Barber
Greg Barber
Responds QuicklyBarber Realty Group Inc.
(910) 679-9995
224 Total Sales
1 in Empie Park
$150,000 Price
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Jennifer Bullock Team
JB
Jennifer Bullock Team
Responds QuicklyRE/MAX Executive
(910) 839-7593
634 Total Sales
1 in Empie Park
$180,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Empie Dog Park
Empie Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Empie Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Empie Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Empie Park, Wilmington sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Empie Park, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $215,000, down 53% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$243,750
Median Sale Price
$215,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$415,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$1,995,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$209,377
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
15
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-53%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$314
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
321
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1958
Months of Supply
0.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,376
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,394
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
893
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
13,939
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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$1,454 - $6,231 per month
- The Helmsman
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 631+ Sq Ft
- 3520 Park Ave
- Wilmington, NC
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,404
Median Age
35
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,048
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$59,339
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.1%
College Graduates
52.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.3%
% Population in Labor Force
78.9%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
64''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
71
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
28
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Devon Park
Traditional suburban neighborhood bordered by two parks east of Midtown
Lincoln Forest
Quiet, woodsy neighborhood behind Wilmington’s only indoor mall
Saint James Village
Centrally located neighborhood near the University of North Carolina Wilmington
College Park-Fernside
Central Wilmington neighborhood where long-term residents and UNCW students live
Forest Hills North
Central Wilmington neighborhood known for its lavish estates
Forest Hills South
Stately properties, just blocks from Cape Fear Country Club
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